One of the great things about having a fireplace today is that you have so many incredible options so you can enjoy a cozy, warm fireplace that fits your specific lifestyle and personal preference. Just imagine your family gathering around a warm fire for S'mores or to play a board game, a romantic evening in your master suite or enjoying your outdoor living room during the colder weather.

Before you get all fired up about all the new design options and functionalities, you need to keep in mind that having a fireplace comes with added responsibility. That means making sure someone is in the room whenever a fire is burning, having the fireplace chimney cleaned yearly to remove debris, and making sure the fireplace in general is working optimally.

Consumers are all fired up about gas fireplaces. In fact, gas fireplaces are one of the most sought-after home features in new home construction, because they can be placed in almost any room in your new home and come is a wide range of sizes and styles.

Today's gas fireplaces offer great options for architects and designers to showcase a room, while adding significant value to the home's resale value. One of the big attractions to gas fireplaces is they add ambiance and warmth to a room, while looking realistic. Another benefit is that they are more affordable and energy-efficient than a wood fireplace and are easy to operate and maintain.

Architects and designers are seeing a trend towards fireplaces, particularly gas fireplaces for almost every room in the home. Since no chimney is involved with direct vent gas fireplaces you have the flexibility to create unique designs and styles that complement your home's decor and satisfy your taste for hearth & home. As for energy-efficiency, if properly placed and sized throughout your home, you can distribute heat evenly without tapping into your main source of heat.